Method of producing talking-machine records.



J. P. SNARE.

METHOD 0F -PRODUGING TALKING MACHINE RECORDS.

APPLIoATwN FILED 111111.20, 1911.

1,035,057. Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

JOHN P. SNARE, OF MODESTO. CALIFORNIA.

METHOD OF PRODUCING TALKING-MACHINE RECORDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

Application filed March 20, 1911. Serial No. 615,624.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I. JonN P. SNARE. a citizen of the United States, residing at Modesto, in the county of Stanislaus and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of Producing Talking-Machine Records, of which the following is afspecitication.

The present invention has reference to the production of records for talking machines, and .it comprehends, briefly, a method or process whereby the medium which transmits or carries the sound waves from the performer t-o therecording instrument is highly improved and rendered `more efficacious for thatI purpose. To effect this object, the recording operation is carried out in a closed chamber wherein the contained air constituting the aforesaid transmitting medium is subjected to an appreciable degree of pressure, all extraneous disturbing influences which would otherwise ali'ect such medium being at the same time removed, with the result that the voice of the performer is more perfectly reproduced than has heretofore'been possible. This is due primarilyl to the fact that the condensation of theair produces a medium which transmits or carries the sound waves much more readily than air at normal or atmospheric pressure. In consequence, the slight strain to which the voice of the performer is subjected, (and this is particularly true of amateur recording, as opposed to professional recording in specially constructed and equipped laboratories), is avoided, and the sounds reproduced approach more nearly the natural tones actually sung or spoken. For the same reason, the lowest and softest tones may be perfectly recorded, and subsequently'reproduced, and this holds goed for both vocal and instrumental performances, which is a'matter ofconsiderable importance, inasmuch as at the present time many records of selections containing extremely low notes and pianissimo effects are more or less considerably spoiled by the llatting of a low note or the failure to record and reproduce all of the notes in a passage played or sung pianissimo. Finally, the recording is further facilitated to an appreciable extent both by constructing the chamber in part in the form of a bell made of soundamplifying material, preferably metal, and in mounting such bell in much the same manner as the bell of a gas tank; that is to say, the bell is supported in a pit or stand partly filled with water, which latter will act not only as a seal toA prevent. entrance of extraneous disturbing influences. but also, to some extent, as a deflector for directing the sound waves toward the recording instrument.

A vertical sectional view of one form of apparatus for carrying out the inventionis illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but it is to be understood that such illustratien is intended merely as diagrammatic, and, moreover, that the term talking lnachine, as employed both above and hereinafter,r is used in its broadest sense, as covering the lso-called phonographs'. graphephones, gramophones and the like in general use at the present time, without restriction to the character of record utilized in connection therewith.

The bell l shown in said drawing is, as has already been stated, preferably similar in the main to the ordinary gas bell, and is mounted for vertical movement in a tank, pit or other supporting receptacle 2, which is filled` or partly filled with water, as indicated by the numeral 3. Upon the floor of said receptacle rest a chair 4 for the performer, and a stand 5 for the recording instrument 6, both the chair and stand b eing inclosed within the -bell and being of sutli- -cient height to project a considerable distance above the water level.

Any suitable means-or devices may be employed for obtaining ingress to and egress from the bell; for instance, the bell may be raised to anl extent sufficient to enable the performer'to step from the top wall of the receptacle to the chair, or it may be provided with a door through which the performer may enter, the door being so constructed as to fit tightly in its opening when closed, to prevent the entrance of air. In either instance, it will be apparent that the apparatus is closed after the performer is in place in his chair, ,thus producing a water sealed chamber due to the sulnnergence of the lower end of the bell. Illustration of the means or devices for permitting such ingress and egress is, however, omitted, since the same form no part of the present invention.

The weight of the bell has the obvious effeet of increasing the density of the a'ir contained therein, and it is this condensed or compressed air which constitutes the improved transmitting medium, the extent of condensation or compression bein@ pro ortionate to the size and material cia the ell, but under no circumstances reaching so high a point as to interfere With the comfort of the performer. The proper or necessary extent Vofrsuch action may, in fact, be readily determined by experiments.

The actual recording operation is carried out in the usual manner, and, upon its conclusion, the recorded blank is removed from the machine and replaced by a fresh llank as is customary, the bell bein raised or opened prior to the making of t e new record if considered advisable.

It Will be understood that the construction of the bell of materialwhichwill amoliy the soundvvaves, preferably more or less resonant metal, tends to yfurther improve the character ofthe record, and that a somewhat similar improvement is obtained by the employment of the Water, owing to the latters Well known property of carrying or transmitting sounds. Finally, the disposition of the recording instrument and the performer within a closed chamber of the type described precludes anyv extraneous influence from acting on, absorbinv, or otherwise disturbing or injuriously aiecting the transmission of the sound Waves.

I claim as my invention: y The process of' recording soundl Waves which consists in compressing a transmitting medium contained in a` closure which surrounds the recording instrument and the source of sound, and transmitting thesound 'Waves through the compressed vmedium to said instrument..

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Wit- 40v nesses.

JOHN P. SNARE.

Witnesses:

A. R. VOGELMAN, p E. H. ZioN. 

